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A few questions for 'proper' photographers from a novice.
Having got over the loss of my Canon EOS400D I'm back up and running with a 1000D. I've got the 'standard' 18-55mm lens, and a 75-300mm lens.
1. Proper photographers I see around always seem to have the 'flower petal' lens hood. Is this worth having?
2. Should I get a skylight and / or a UV filter too? I take mostly outdoor landscape shots.
3. Whenever I'm out with the camera, I always seem to have the wrong lens fitted, but I don't want to take the big camera bag with me. Does anyone use standalone lens cases / covers? Do they clip onto the camera strap?
4. How do you keep your lens clean when you're out and about? Do you carry cleaning materials with you? A brush? A cloth?
5. How do you carry your camera when you're walking around. I used to carry it with the strap around my neck, camera on my chest, but I saw a video of 'proper' photographers with the strap slung over one shoulder. This means less banging of the camera when I'm walking, but I'm a bit worried about it slipping off my weedy narrow shoulders.
Sorry if these questions are a bit basic, but I'd like to know what other people do. I think I'm probably going to join a local camera club anyway.
A Skylight or UV filter is essential in my book. Far cheaper to replace than a front element should you accidentally scratch it.
I always carry a micro-fibre cleaning cloth and just blow on the filter to get rid of excessive dust and then wipe it. Remember, you're only wiping a filter, which can easily be replaced, so I see no need for a collection of puffers and special aids just to clean it.
You can buy lens cases and a case for your telephoto zoom can be carried on your hip using your trouser belt or on the camera's strap, but I think that's a bit unwieldy.
A lens hood is preferable to avoid flare when taking shots into the light. It's shape is not vital in my experience.
Finally, forget 'proper photographers' and carry it in a way that's comfortable and sensible for you. I would never carry a camera over one shoulder in certain cities. If it's over your head there's far less chance of it being dropped or snatched. I have it over my head and on one shoulder, if you see what I mean. I don't like it dangling on my chest with the strap just around my neck.
A few questions for 'proper' photographers from a novice.
Having got over the loss of my Canon EOS400D I'm back up and running with a 1000D. I've got the 'standard' 18-55mm lens, and a 75-300mm lens.
1. Proper photographers I see around always seem to have the 'flower petal' lens hood. Is this worth having?
2. Should I get a skylight and / or a UV filter too? I take mostly outdoor landscape shots.
3. Whenever I'm out with the camera, I always seem to have the wrong lens fitted, but I don't want to take the big camera bag with me. Does anyone use standalone lens cases / covers? Do they clip onto the camera strap?
4. How do you keep your lens clean when you're out and about? Do you carry cleaning materials with you? A brush? A cloth?
5. How do you carry your camera when you're walking around. I used to carry it with the strap around my neck, camera on my chest, but I saw a video of 'proper' photographers with the strap slung over one shoulder. This means less banging of the camera when I'm walking, but I'm a bit worried about it slipping off my weedy narrow shoulders.
Sorry if these questions are a bit basic, but I'd like to know what other people do. I think I'm probably going to join a local camera club anyway.
Gerald
Hi Gerald, no need to wait for replies from 'proper' photographers - we, 'ordinary' folks may be able to help
Good advice from Hobbyfan on all counts
As regarding the carrying of 2 lenses, I did the same for a couple of years with the same combination that you have, tried to cut down on the carrying by taking only the one that I thought I'd need for each type of excursion - but it was always the wrong one. Even if you have both with you there is still the need to change the lenses over in the 'field'.
I have now gone for a good one lens solution with a Sigma 18-200mm zoom and it solves the problem brilliantly! My kit lenses stay at home unless I know I'll need the reach of the 300mm which is rare tbh. No more dust on the sensor now either
Hi Gerald, no need to wait for replies from 'proper' photographers - we, 'ordinary' folks may be able to help
No offence meant, Neil, but in my book, anyone who knows the answer to any of my questions is a 'proper' photographer, as opposed to a snapper with a posh camera
1. A lens hood is always good to have but its actual type is dependent on the lens. Choose one that is the same as the manufacters version. They cut out unwanted light and can reduce flare. Be careful of using them with the on camera flash since they can cast shadows.
2. In my opinion a UV filter is a must on the end of the lens, mostly to protect it against dirt and potential scratches. Cheaper to replace the filter than the lens. Get a good multi-coated one.
3. Sorry can't answer that as I always carry a Kata 3-in-1/20 backpack. For times when I don't want to carry this I slip the compact camera onto my belt - also in a Kata bag.
and special lens cleaning clothes. Also a micro-fibre cloth for wiping the rain off.
Blow the dust/dirt off first then use the lens cloth.
5. I don't like kneck straps but used to use a wrist- strap but found this a little restrictive when switching between Portrait and Landscape. Now I don't bother. Its either in the backpack or in my hand.
I'm a hobbyist sort of photographer with a Nikon D300. I have found that the Nikkor 'super zoom' 18-200 mm meets most situations except macro for which I use a Sigma 50 mm fixed focal length. There will be equivalent lenses for Canon. So one lens - albeit rather a heavy one - can suffice, as a respondent has already noted, apart from specialist shooting such as wild flowers and birds.
I always take a camera bag ('Vanguard' rather cheap, bought in France) which will hold filters and basic small stuff. I originally bought a Lowepro gadget bag, but I hardly ever use it: big, heavy. Though when I need both lenses, finest Todmorden pork pies and ginger beer on a trip it's very useful.
I bought an expensive 'petal' type lens hood badged up as Nikon. I didn't think it kept sunlight out very well. It broke; I fixed it; it broke ... and so on. When I was in London I searched out Kingsley's 93 Tottenham Court Rd and they rummaged in a box and for about Ģ4 sold me a lovely 72 mm old-fashioned collapsable lens hood - which actually keeps stray sunlight out of the lens. I can keep it on even when it's in the bag (the hood collapses, remember).
I always use a UV filter. The points about protecting the front object lens and just cleaning a filter with a cloth have already been made.
The camera can be whipped out of my bag fairly quickly because of the type of fastenings it has - but yesterday I still missed a nice shot of a train alongside the Standedge tunnel canal entrance at Diggle!
Carrying the camera: just be comfortable and safe. If I'm shooting quickly, say with one hand, I wrap the strap round my wrist. Usually I have it round my neck. Despite all that I've managed to drop a fairly expensive digital camera, and ruin it!
Filters: I find using the Conkin system of filters relatively easy and very effective especially for landscapes in which clouds are meant to feature. The gradual dark grey is the one I prefer. Others I seldom use. By-the-by most of this front end stuff just screw onto each other: apart from the lens hood and the Conkin filter outfit (you won't need both at the same time).
A few questions for 'proper' photographers from a novice.
Having got over the loss of my Canon EOS400D I'm back up and running with a 1000D. I've got the 'standard' 18-55mm lens, and a 75-300mm lens.
Maybe consider a Canon 17-85IS, a cracking walk about lens
1. Proper photographers I see around always seem to have the 'flower petal' lens hood. Is this worth having? [/quote]
Yeah, keeps light off the lens, helps stop lens flare and offers a bit of protection too
2. Should I get a skylight and / or a UV filter too? I take mostly outdoor landscape shots.[/quote]
Yes, a good quality one or your images might suffer, cheaper to buy a new filter than getting a scratched lens repaired
3. Whenever I'm out with the camera, I always seem to have the wrong lens fitted, but I don't want to take the big camera bag with me. Does anyone use standalone lens cases / covers? Do they clip onto the camera strap?[/quote]
I have a smaller camera bag that will hold my camera with any of my lenses fitted apart from one, room in the bag for an extra one too
4. How do you keep your lens clean when you're out and about? Do you carry cleaning materials with you? A brush? A cloth?[/quote]
Always have a blower and micro fibre cloth with me, please don't use a coat sleeve like I've seen some doing
5. How do you carry your camera when you're walking around. I used to carry it with the strap around my neck, camera on my chest, but I saw a video of 'proper' photographers with the strap slung over one shoulder. This means less banging of the camera when I'm walking, but I'm a bit worried about it slipping off my weedy narrow shoulders.[/quote]
I never use the shoulder straps, find them annoying and uncomfortable although you can use them to steady the camera using a certain technique, I have a hand grip, just slide your hand in it and hold the camera as normal, you can put your arm down and the camera just hangs on your fingertips, even carry the camera with the Sigma 50-500 this way, makes a good weapon if anyone wants to try stealing it
I have a hand grip, just slide your hand in it and hold the camera as normal, you can put your arm down and the camera just hangs on your fingertips, even carry the camera with the Sigma 50-500 this way, makes a good weapon if anyone wants to try stealing it [/color]
Same lens, same solution as me - do you find your van has enough payload to carry it or have you had the GVW uprated?
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Greece
I'm back up and running with a 1000D. I've got the 'standard' 18-55mm lens, and a 75-300mm lens.
Waving in memory of Peter and Fiona
Fighting with Mavisīs MESO WARRIORS 
